KÖHNTARKÖSZ

On Köntarkösz Magma made another step in their continuing development. The preceding album MDK used to impress me more when I was 20 years younger but now the more restrained arrangements and tight focus of Köntarkösz has my preference .

On MDK, Magma was still all about hammering you down with how out-worldly and bigger-then-life they were. Here, we get a more mature release that convinces by its sheer quality. Magma relaxes just a bit and lets the music and atmosphere speak for itself.

The main part of the album is consumed by the title track: an half hour long improvisation that is carried by an entrancing rhythm and a marvellously dark and brooding atmosphere. Ork Alarm and the Coltrane thing provide an excellent offset against the storm that preceded it (at least on the CD where the tracks are sequenced properly).

Köntarkösz is Magma's studio masterpiece.